Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page. Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College. Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.
The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation invites applications for a Research Lab Manager. In this position you will work with biologists at state and federal agencies, tribes, universities and non-governmental groups across the United States on projects that use environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the presence and distribution of aquatic species. You will be responsible for designing projects with collaborators which includes advising biologists on study design for sampling in their given area, setting up and managing budgets, sending equipment and materials to collaborators for sample collection and working with laboratory technicians to ensure that the samples are analyzed in a timely manner. You may be coordinating up to 30 projects at a time with many of these being ongoing projects from previous years. Additionally, you will be responsible for completing QAQC protocols to ensure the quality of the data in order to disseminate the results via tables, reports, or databases for publication. You will also be responsible for purchasing supplies and equipment as needed for various projects, data analysis, writing reports, and communicating results to collaborators. You will be expected to keep up to date on peer reviewed publication related to eDNA tools so as to better inform managers of project set up and interpretation of results. Lastly, you will be expected to co-author articles in peer-reviewed journals on the research conducted in the lab.
Required Skills:
- Ability to balance and keep careful track of budgets.
- Database management and skills required.
- Ability to interact with collaborators required.
- Knowledge of basic statistics.
- Overall attention to detail and high level of organizational skills are required.
- Ability to design projects to meet the objectives of the collaborators.
- Strong writing skills for reports and peer-review journal articles.
Minimum Required Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with environmental DNA techniques is preferred, and managing projects & budgets are strongly preferred.
About the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation and UM :
The mission of the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation is to advance research and education that fosters sustainability and empowers a holistic understanding of social-ecological systems.
The University of Montana is a flagship research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains where three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.
The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.
To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.
Position Details:
Position Title: Research Lab Manager
Position Number: 292730
Department: W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation
Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Salary: $21.28/hr. Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .
Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE
Probationary Period: Six months minimum
Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
How to Apply:
Open Until Filled.Application review has begun, but applications are still being accepted.
To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.
Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.
A complete application Includes:
- Please describe your experience with managing projects, specifically with datasets, budgets, and collaborators.
- Please describe your experience working with environmental DNA.
*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.
**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.
Missoula, Montana, United States